Tight end was a pressing need for the New York Jets and general manager Darren Mougey entering the 2025 draft. So much so that they were mocked to take a tight end as high as seventh overall by numerous outlets.

The Jets ended up taking offensive tackle Armand Membou with the seventh pick, and they still managed to get one of the best tight end prospects in the class, Mason Taylor, with their second-round pick (No. 42).

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NFL draft analyst Todd McShay is one who praised the team for making the Taylor selection. He recently spoke on the fit between Taylor and the Jets on ‘The McShay Show’.

“[The Jets] absolutely need it,” he said. “And with that quarterback situation, you need security over the middle of the field… and Mason Taylor’s perfect for Justin Fields.”

While Taylor is still developing, and the Jets’ QB situation is a bit up in the air with Fields prepping to play for his third team in three years, every indication is that the rookie will get an early chance to be the starting tight end in New York.

McShay’s co-host on the show, Steve Muench, also likes Taylor’s game. He envisions a big role for Taylor in New York.

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“Mason Taylor is TE1 for the Jets,” Muench said. “He’s ready to go. The way LSU used him is borderline frustrating. They didn’t do enough with him, in my opinion.”

“I think when you get him to the pros, he’s going to be a far more productive pro,” he continued. “You look at that skillset, you look at that frame, and I think he’s gonna take off if they can get him the ball.”

Taylor has strong NFL roots in his DNA, with both his father and uncle being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as members of the Miami Dolphins, As the son of Jason Taylor and the nephew of Zach Thomas, it’s no surprise that the rookie is both physically and mentally ready to contribute at the NFL level.

With veterans Tyler Conklin (former Jets starting TE) and Davante Adams departing in free agency this offseason, almost 200 targets will need to be replaced in the offense. A big opportunity awaits Taylor.

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As a junior, in his final season of college, Taylor recorded career-highs on catches (55) and receiving yards (546), which was good enough for a third-team selection in the daunting SEC.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Todd McShay: Rookie TE Mason Taylor is perfect for Jets’ Justin Fields